ONE of the easiest (and cheapest) ways to step up your home security is by adding a video doorbell.

I’ve tested some of the best video doorbells out there, and these are the ones that deliver without the fuss.

Video doorbells are one of the easiest ways to add security and a bit of style to your front door.

I’ve tested what’s out there, from budget models, high-end picks, and everything in between.

The best video doorbells deliver sharp video, fast alerts, and reliable performance, whether you’re home or not.

Some run on batteries, others are wired in, and a few soak up the sun with solar panels, so there’s a setup for just about everyone.

After spending plenty of time with all sorts of smart home devices, I’ve seen how well these doorbells play nicely with the rest of your gear.

If you’re ready to level up your entryway with something smart and reliable, these are the standouts.

Read on for my top picks for the best video doorbells right now.

How I tested

Over the past few months, I’ve been putting these video doorbells through their paces to see how they hold up in the real world.

Since I don’t have a wired setup at home, I went with battery-powered and solar models.

Using the batteries is easy and suits most homes, but wiring is included if you want a more permanent install.

I paid close attention to how easy they are to install, how sharp the video is, whether the app behaves itself, and how smoothly they play with the rest of a smart home setup.

After plenty of hands-on testing, these are the standouts worth checking out.

Best video doorbells – tried and tested

Ring Video Doorbell (2nd generation)

Ring Video Doorbell (2nd-Gen), £89.99 on Amazon

Pros: Reliable, clear daytime video, works well with Alexa, easy to recharge

Cons: Needs a subscription to save footage; night vision is basic

Rating: 8.5/10

The Ring Video Doorbell (2nd Gen) has been around since 2020, and while it’s a few years old now, it’s held up well.

The design’s a bit chunky and the finish shows its age up close, but honestly, it still looks a lot like Ring’s newer models; most people wouldn’t spot the difference.

Video during the day is clear and detailed, with 1080p easily good enough to recognise faces and keep an eye on goings on.

At night, it switches to black-and-white night vision. It works fine, but you do lose a fair bit of detail compared to daytime footage.

Battery life is solid, with around four to six weeks per charge depending on how much activity it picks up.

You’ll need to unscrew it from the mount to recharge via micro-USB, but it’s less of a hassle than it sounds.

It does take a fair amount of time to recharge, around seven to 10 hours, so it’s offline for a bit, but with that much runtime, it’s a fair trade-off.

With the Ring Protect plan (£3.49/month), you get handy extras like person detection and cloud video history. Without it, you’re limited to live view and instant alerts.

Ring’s strength is how smoothly it works with Amazon’s ecosystem, so you can chat with visitors on Echo speakers or see the live feed on an Echo Show.

It’s not fancy, and it shows its age in places, but the 2nd Gen Ring is still a dependable, well-rounded doorbell that covers the basics well, and it’s great value if you catch it on sale.

It has been replaced by the Ring Battery Video Doorbell at £99, which brings a wider field of view and colour night vision.

Video quality: 1080p HD video, Audio: Two-way talk, Power: Rechargeable battery or hardwired (mains), Storage: No internal storage; video is stored in the cloud (subscription required)

Tapo D235

Tapo D235 Video Doorbell, £102.49 £89.99 on Amazon

Pros: Crisp 2K video with wide-angle lens, colour night vision, no monthly fees with included microSD storage, reliable motion detection with smart alerts

Cons: Needs a wired chime if you don’t use the hub, audio quality is decent but not standout

Rating: 8.5/10

The Tapo D235 might not be as widely recognised as some of the bigger names, but it delivers in ways that genuinely surprised me.

At around £89 (or less if you catch it on offer), it ticks a lot of boxes right out of the gate. 

The 2K video resolution is clear and sharp, and the ultra-wide 180° field of view means you can see almost everything at your doorstep, top to bottom, edge to edge.

One of the standout features here is the full-colour night vision. It switches automatically depending on the lighting, and in my tests, even late-night footage stayed impressively detailed.

Storage-wise, the D235 keeps things simple with microSD support (up to 512GB), so there’s no need to sign up for a subscription unless you really want to. 

That’s a huge plus if you’re trying to avoid monthly fees stacking up.

The doorbell comes with a hub that acts as a chime and strengthens the signal to the camera. 

Setup is smooth, especially using the Tapo app, which is intuitive and quick to get up and running. 

Just be aware that if you’re not using the hub, you’ll need a wired chime setup for indoor alerts.

Motion detection is another area where it shines. It uses AI to distinguish people from cars or pets, which really cuts down on false alarms. 

You can also customise detection zones, which I found useful for reducing unnecessary pings from passing traffic.

On the downside, while the two-way audio is functional, it’s not the clearest I’ve tried—it can sound a little tinny depending on background noise.

All in all, the Tapo D235 is a capable, smartly priced doorbell camera that offers great peace of mind with minimal hassle or cost. 

If you’re after sharp video, useful smart features, and zero subscriptions, this one’s well worth considering.

Video quality: 2K resolution, ultra-wide, colour night vision, Audio: Two-way talk Power: Rechargeable battery (USB-C), with option for wired power, Storage: Local microSD (up to 512GB), no subscription needed

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Eufy E340

Eufy E340, £159.99 £109.99 on Amazon

Pros: Dual cameras give a great field of view, sharp 2K video, colour night vision.

Cons: Quite bulky, expensive upfront cost

Rating: 9/10

The Eufy E340 doesn’t mess around; it’s a feature-packed doorbell that offers plenty of smart tech without locking you into a subscription.

At around £160, it’s pricier than some options, but you get a lot for your money.

The standout feature for me was its two cameras: one faces forward, and the other points down, so you can see who’s at your door and check if your parcel actually made it onto the mat.

On that note, the video quality is excellent, delivering 2K footage with full-colour night vision.

Even in low light, it captures plenty of detail, which really boosted peace of mind.

If you want more than just alerts and two-way talk, but something that genuinely improves your home security, this doorbell is it.

Motion detection worked well and was smart enough to distinguish people from general movement.

I also found adjusting the detection zones helped cut down on false alarms from cars or trees.

There’s no subscription needed either; thanks to the HomeBase, footage is stored locally, so you’re not hit with any hidden monthly fees.

That said, the HomeBase S380 I tested can be a pricey add-on, coming in at around £160 when not on sale.

It’s a bit of an upfront investment, but it sets you up long-term with no ongoing costs, making it a smarter buy in the long run.

The E340 is on the larger side, so it’s not the most discreet doorbell, but with all the tech it packs in, that’s a fair trade-off.

After spending time with it, it’s a highly capable doorbell that nails the essentials, offers strong security features, and won’t tie you into a subscription.

Video quality: Dual-cam 2K with colour night vision, Audio: Two-way talk works well, Power: Battery or wired, Storage: Local (via HomeBase or SD), no subscription needed

Ezviz EP3x Pro

Ezviz EP3x Pro, £129.99 £94.99 on Amazon

Pros: Straightforward installation, clear 2K video quality with colour night vision, free 32GB built-in storage (no subscription), solar-powered with USB-C backup

Cons: Slightly bulky design, notifications can occasionally lag

Rating: 9/10

The Ezviz EP3x Pro is a new name to me, but it’s left quite an impression. 

This video doorbell doesn’t just compete with household names like Ring, it challenges them in ways that make you wonder why you’d pay for subscriptions elsewhere. 

At £129.99 (or £99.99 during sales), it boasts an impressive 2K video quality, including colour night vision, which is ideal for capturing clear footage at any time of day.

But what really sets it apart is the free 32GB built-in storage, meaning no subscription fees or ongoing costs to worry about. 

That’s a breath of fresh air in a market where monthly fees are often the norm. 

Adding to its appeal, the EP3x Pro is solar-powered, which is brilliant for me as I don’t have a wired set-up and means I can avoid constantly charging batteries. 

Though there is a USB-C backup option for cloudy days, in my experience, there’s always enough battery in the tank.

Installation is as simple as it gets, with options for adhesive strips or screws, and the Ezviz app walks you through the setup with ease. 

The two-way audio is another handy feature, letting you speak directly to visitors or delivery drivers.

That said, the design might not be to everyone’s taste; it’s a bit on the bulky side, so it may not suit slimmer or more traditional doorframes. 

I also had the occasional delay in notifications, which could mean you’re left hanging for a moment longer than expected. 

Still, for affordable home security without the hidden costs, the Ezviz EP3x Pro is a solid choice that’s hard to beat.

Video quality: 2K resolution and colour night vision, Audio: Two-way talk, Power: Solar-powered with USB-C backup, Storage: Free 32GB built-in storage (6 months of recordings)

Best video doorbells FAQs

What is the best video doorbell to buy?

It depends on what you’re after; Ring is one of the most popular choices and a reliable one, with a large ecosystem of devices to play with.

For a budget-friendly option that still delivers, Tapo punches above its price, with AI integration and microSD storage options.

If you prefer no monthly fees and local storage, Ezviz and Eufy offer some of the best options, and come with impressive 2K cameras and a two-way field of view.

What doorbell camera has the best video quality?

If crystal-clear video is your top priority, Eufy tends to stand out with its 2K resolution on some models, offering sharp and detailed footage. 

Ring’s higher-end models also deliver crisp video, especially in various lighting conditions.

Tapo and Ezviz do surprisingly well for their price, but if we’re talking pure video quality, Eufy edges ahead.

Where to buy video doorbells

You can pick up video doorbells pretty much anywhere these days, with retailers like Amazon, Currys, and Argos usually stocking a good selection.

You’ll also find them directly from the brands’ websites.

• Amazon
• Currys
• Argos
• B&Q
• Eufy

How does a video doorbell work?

A video doorbell replaces your regular doorbell but adds a camera, microphone, and speaker. 

When someone presses the button (or sometimes just approaches), the camera starts recording and sends an alert to your phone. 

You can see, hear, and talk to whoever’s there, even if you’re not.

Most models connect via Wi-Fi and save footage either to the cloud or locally, depending on the brand.

How long does the Ring video doorbell battery last?

Ring’s battery lasts anywhere from two to six months before needing a recharge, but varies based on how busy your door is.

More motion alerts, cold weather, and frequent live viewing can drain it faster, but it’d be a doddle to pop the battery out and recharge it.

Once you’ve got one, you’re set for the long haul; Ring says most models last up to five years or around 500 charge cycles.

Which is better, wired or wireless video doorbells?

It really comes down to what works best for your home setup, as both have their perks.

Wired doorbells mean no charging and quicker alerts, but installation can be fiddly or require an electrician.

Wireless models are easier to set up (ideal for renters), but you’ll need to recharge every few months, which means some downtime.

Is it better to get a video doorbell or a security camera?

They serve slightly different purposes; a video doorbell is perfect for keeping an eye on your front door, seeing packages arrive, and chatting with visitors. 

A security camera covers wider areas like your driveway, backyard, or side of the house, and having both is usually ideal for full home surveillance.

But if you’re starting with one, a video doorbell is a great first step.

Are video doorbells waterproof?

Mostly, yes. They’re designed to handle rain, snow, and general UK weather.

That said, they’re water-resistant, not waterproof, so while they’ll cope with the elements, don’t go dunking one in a bucket.

Just make sure it’s installed properly and reasonably sheltered if possible.